Sgt. Joseph T. Rayley, air traffic controller, Company F, 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, helps an aircraft land at Goodland Municipal Airport during the battalion’s “Operation Tin Man” field exercise Sept. 8, 2016, in Goodland, Kan. (Photo by Sgt. Gregory T. Summers)
By Sgt. Gregory T. Summers
4th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
GOODLAND, Kan. — Soldiers gathered their gear and equipment and rehearsed their mission plans to overtake an airfield runway nearly 200 miles from Fort Carson. Their command teams and vigorous training had prepared them for the weeks that followed.
Soldiers and aviators with 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, conducted air traffic control operations during a field exercise at Goodland Municipal Airport in Goodland, Kansas, Sept. 6-16, 2016.
The “Operation Tin Man” field exercise allowed air traffic controllers, mechanics and petroleum and communications specialists to gain valuable training experience simulating a deployed environment.
Spc. Nathan Dahilig, air traffic controller, Company F, 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, guides an aircraft onto the runway at Sept. 8, 2016, at Goodland Municipal Airport in Goodland, Kan. (Photo by Sgt. Gregory T. Summers)
“We were able to coordinate with the city of Goodland (officials) and they allowed us to deploy and set up our air traffic services systems (there),” said Spc. Nathan Dahilig, air traffic controller, Company F, 2nd GSAB. “Training and getting certified on our radar systems requires us to run a lot of numbers and do a lot of aircraft approaches, and Goodland’s airfield allowed us the space and air traffic to do that.”
With a combination of the ground control approach radar, the air traffic control tower and the tactical
terminal control system, Soldiers of Company F were able to operate and direct all of the area’s air traffic control operations; all while becoming certified within Army and Federal Aviation Administration regulations.
“Working with the community of Goodland has allowed us to practice our mission essential task lists for our air traffic controllers, but it also has allowed our support companies to do the same,” said Warrant Officer Gilberto Salas, air traffic and air space management technician, Company F, 2nd GSAB.
After convoying from Fort Carson to Goodland, the battalion’s air traffic control footprint included full voice and data communications, air traffic control equipment and a forward arming and refueling point for incoming CH-47 Chinook and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters conducting flight approaches.
Petroleum supply specialists with 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, operate a forward arming and refueling point for incoming CH-47 Chinook and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters conducting flight approaches. (Photo by Sgt. Gregory T. Summers)
“Having the ability to be completely self-sustained by partnering with our maintenance team, fuel supply specialists and communicators, all of the Soldiers participating in the operation have a better understanding of what all takes place when controlling an airfield,” added Salas.
The training also proved to be a good experience for pilots of the aircraft, said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Scott Swanson, CH-47 Chinook pilot, Company B, 2nd GSAB.
“Pilots and crewmembers landing in unfamiliar or hard to see airfields due to bad weather allows all of us to increase communication proficiency and make safer landings. They’ve done a great job talking and learning with us, and the exchanging of feedback provides better training for all of us,” Swanson said.
While conducting the flight and support operations during Operation Tin Man, Soldiers and aviators were treated to a surprise from the Goodland community Sept. 11, 2016, — a cookout as a token of their appreciation and to honor the remembrance of 9/11.
In return, 2nd GSAB Soldiers set up static displays of CH-47 Chinook and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and gave guided tours of the tower, radars, command post and airfield operations.